#pipit

Massive, ivy-laden trees stretched towards the sky on grand spiraling trunks. All around him, the bright golden-green hues of leaves in sunlight painted the ground, dusting the rich, colorful caps of giant mushrooms that grew between the trees. The forest possessed a vibrancy that made even shadows burst with purple, and standing there after so long made Sky feel just as bright. It was as if he'd been filled with inexplicable strength, refreshed in body and mind. 

He took in another greedy breath, letting the familiar coolness radiate through his bones. He smiled. A laugh danced on the edges of his sigh.

He knew these woods.

He was home.

...and so was she.

Heart pounding, spine tingling in excitement he didn't dare contain, Sky let his body take off through the trees.

Several alarmed heroes charged after him.

"Sky! Where are you going now?" huffed Legend.

"I think we might be in his Hyrule!" Warriors called back.

"You mean," The traveler corrected with a grin, "whatever Hyrule was before it was Hyrule!”

“Ooh, ooh, the Surface, right, Sky?” Wind guessed excitedly.

Sky glanced behind him to see all his friends jogging along with him. "Yeah!" shouted Sky. "It's the Surface, now hurry! Follow me!"

“Hey!” Four laughed from Twilight’s back, “Shouldn’t we be waiting for Epona at the portal?”

“She’ll catch up to us later, don’t worry,” Twilight reassured him, adjusting his hold. “If we can catch up to Sky, that is!”

"I never thought we'd be asking the sleepyhead to slow down!" Wild snorted.

"And why should we?" Time chimed in. "Go get her, Chosen One!"

Time's support filled Sky with glee. With his smile stretched wide and legs practically skipping, he flung himself towards the little settlement that he knew was waiting just ahead. 

In just a few moments, the trees began to thin. The others had caught up to him by then, Wild choosing to dance around Sky's heels to egg him onward. As if he needed more reason to run. Sky could feel his body slowing, but his spirit soared, especially as the rich, leafy gardens of the Surface came into view. 

"Hey, is that—?"

"It's Link!"

"'Hey, Link!”

"Who are those men?"

"Are they chasing you, Link?!?”

Sky laughed loudly at the notion, waving both his arms gleefully to his townsfolk as he raced by. His smile seemed to calm their nerves, but further chatting would have to wait. If he lingered too long, the whole settlement would be on top of him, and he had somewhere to be.

At least, that was his plan, until a burly shape tackled into his side.

Sky squawked as Groose lifted him off his feet with one arm, using the other to drive his knuckles—affectionately—into his head.

"Where's the fire, little buddy?" Groose bellowed, laughing as Sky squirmed against his fist. 

"ACK! Groose, lemme go!"

"Why? So I can knock ya' over with a feather once I putcha back on the ground?" 

To prove his point, Groose suddenly released him. Sky wobbled as his feet hit the dirt, his frantic sprint finally taking its toll on his body. Grumbling, Sky tried not to cough as Groose caught his arm.

"Funny," he panted.

"Well hello to you, too," Groose simply grinned. "C'mon, Link, ya gotta trust the Groose here! I'm the kinda guy who looks after my buddies, after all. You really want your girlfriend to see you shriveled up on the ground like a wet remlit?"

"Heh, maybe your buddies should be looking out for you, that tackle was brutal," Sky wheezed out a laugh. “And she's not my girlfriend."

"Right, right. Fiancée~ Ooh, fancy word!"

Sky punched him in the gut, though he knew Groose hardly felt it. "Like you're not thinking about asking the same thing to a certain Item Check girl I kno—"

"UP BUP BUP!" Groose frantically waved his hands in front of Sky's face. The Chosen Hero smirked as his lumbering friend glanced around for eavesdroppers—or perhaps, and more likely, Peatrice. Finding neither, Groose pointed a nervous finger in Sky's face. "N-now listen here, that's confidential information! You can't just go blabbin' about sensitive topics like that! After all we've been through?"

Sky snorted. Nevertheless, he crossed his heart and patted Groose's arm. "I'm just teasing, don't worry. Although... you have to admit it's great blackmai—AAH!"

"WHOOPS! Back into the noogie we go!"

"ARG, HEY!"

Sky's ears burned as the other heroes chuckled at his predicament. He'd asked for this, he supposed, but it was still a relief when another, familiar voice cut through all the madness.

"Groose, let him breathe!"

Sky popped out from under Groose's arm, beaming at Pipit as he approached. The yellow-clad knight took one look at Sky's mop of windswept hair and shook his head.

"We just can't keep you out of trouble, can we?" he said with an exasperated smile. 

Sky shrugged. "Comes with the territory."

"Ha!" Pipit clasped him on the shoulder. "It's good to have you back, Link."

"It's good to be back."

"I'll bet." Pipit then shifted his gaze to the eight strangers nearby. "Now, are you going to tell us who your tagalongs are, or should I be worried? I don't recognize them from any of the islands."

"Yeah, Link, don't tell me you replaced us already!" gasped Groose, dramatically clutching his heart.

The rest of the heroes smiled fondly as Sky waved off his teasing friends. Wind in particular was glancing between Sky and Groose with huge eyes.

Subtly, the sailor mouthed, Is that the guy?!?!? and Sky had to bite back a laugh. He nodded, watching a lopsided grin grow on the boy’s face.

What a legacy for the Groosenator, thought Sky. He'd have to introduce the two properly, soon.

He turned back to see Pipit staring expectantly at him. Suddenly unsure of how much he should disclose about the future, Sky fumbled, "Umm... they're allies of mine. Other, ah, fighters? Sorry, it's complicated. They're all trustworthy! It's just..."

Pipit and Groose turned to each other with raised brows. "Hero business?" they supplied.

Sky deflated in relief. "Yeah. Hero business."

He glanced away from his classmates, dismayed to find a small crowd starting to form, just as he'd predicted. Sky tried not to be upset by the sight, though it would make things more complicated if they all decided to hammer him with questions. At least it wasn't all of Skyloft.

Although, he thought selfishly, still glancing through the settlers, the one Skyloftian he had been hoping to see wasn't among them.

"Something on your mind, featherhead?" smirked Pipit, reading him like a book.

"I think I know what it is," Groose grinned, definitely as payback. "Or maybe... who it is?"

"Guys," Sky groaned.

"Well, if he hadn't been so focused on rushing into town at the speed of sound, maybe he would have noticed who he passed by on the way in." With a knowing sparkle in his eye, Pipit nodded his head towards the space just over Sky's shoulder.

Sky's heart pounded. Rapid footsteps. It couldn't be... Did he dare hope...?

The Chosen Hero spun around just in time for a flash of brilliant blue and silky blonde to crash into his chest, enveloping his world in gold.

And suddenly, everything was her.

Zelda.

She was covered in soil from the garden and smelled like the market at harvest time, but she was here, alive, and still perfectly, unmistakably his.

A ridiculous laugh tore out of Sky's chest. Shouting her name, he flung his arms around her waist and lifted her into the air. Joy seeping out of every seam of his tunic, he spun her around, delighting in the glittering laugh that bubbled out of Zelda's mouth.

"Link! Link! You're back!"

"I'm back!"

"Oh Link," she laughed against his head, sending him over the moon, "Oh, I missed you so much. Here, let me down a second—"

"Nuh-uh!"

"What do you mean, nuh-uh? I'm getting dirt all over your tunic!"

"Don't care!"

"Link-"

"I love you."

Zelda let out an airy breath, just as exasperated by him as she was giddy. "You can't keep me up here forever."

"Says who?" Sky challenged, matching the fiery spark in her eyes. From here, they looked bluer than the waters of Lanayru's lost sea. How did I come to deserve her?

"Says me," Zelda interrupted his thoughts. "And don't you give me that pout, you're holding me too tight and I have stuff I want to say to you."

Reluctantly, Sky brought his fiancée's feet to the ground, only for her to whisper in his ear, "Besides, it's easier to kiss you now."

Sky's grin outshone the sun. Seizing her waist, he peppered fervent kisses along her cheek, his heart filling with joy as she giggled and squirmed with no real intent to get away. Oh how he yearned to capture her lips, to hold her to his chest and spend hours simply living in her presence, but he held back in light of the many eyes he knew were still pressed upon them.

As if to prove his point, he caught Legend gagging in the corner of his eye.

"Ugh, get a room!" groaned the veteran.

Time tousled his hair. "Hush you! They're young and in love, let them be."

"No, no," said Groose, "Bluebird's got a point there."

"Bluebird...?" Legend scowled, adjusting his cap.

Groose ignored him. "They're young! In love! And annoying about it!" The man pretended to shudder, earning a few chuckles from the nearby Skyloftians.

"Fair," Zelda quipped. "But it takes one to know one." 

Sky wheezed as more laughter bounced around the settlers. While Groose's engagement plans were still shrouded in secrecy, his courtship certainly was not. 

Groose, knowing this full well, simply threw up his hands and smoothed back his pompadour in one move. "Can't help it if the Groose is now full of love at all times. But at least you don't see me spinnin' my girl around in the middle of town like a lovesick kid. Besiiiiides…"

Groose directed his signature smirk and raised eyebrow towards Pipit, “Karane and Mr. Married Man over here aren’t exactly subtle, either, are ya, lovebirds?”

Sky doubled over into Zelda as Karane whistled at Pipit from somewhere in the crowd.

Pipit’s face went Loftwing-red. “I-! You-!!!” He pinched the bridge of his nose, not quite succeeding in hiding his smile. “Can we just focus on getting Link and his friends settled in, please?”

The burly knight gave Sky and Zelda a wink and turned to the crowd. "All right, folks! Show's over! Give the loverboy a break, his heart can't handle this much excitement!"

Pipit laughed off his blush and joined him. "There will be plenty of time to catch up with Link later, but Groose is partially right. I'm sure his journey has been long and taxing. Let's give him and his allies some rest and respect, and return to our own tasks."

Various grumbles, welcomes, and well-wishes sailed through the air as the crowd dispersed. Sky sighed, letting the tension he didn't know was there roll off his shoulders.

Zelda took his hand and squeezed it. "C'mon, Sleepyhead. Let’s take you and your friends somewhere quieter."

Sky smiled at her, soaking in her warmth and wisdom. "Ok." He nodded his head to the other heroes. "Follow us!"

The looks of wonder on his friends' faces were not lost on Sky as they meandered through the growing settlement. Time and Twilight gushed over the way some houses had been built into or around large trees. Four was pointing out arched doorways and grassy roofs, excitedly jabbering to Wind about how they looked familiar. Wind did his best to listen, but it was clear his eye was set on finding more of Groose's wild prototypes. 

Legend and Wild were chatting about the gardens and the foods that grew there. Hyrule breathed deeply, enjoying the peace brought by the wind and bird calls. Warriors sighed his agreement. The captain looked more at ease than he'd been in a long time.

It filled Sky with pride, the way they took in his homeland. And this isn't even half of it, he thought excitedly, biting his tongue. Wait until they see Skyloft!

In a few more steps they'd reached a quiet, secluded corner of the settlement, where the very first houses of the Surface had been built. His, Zelda's, and Groose's, in honor of their expedition here. They strolled up to the front of the middle house—Sky's—where a few large trees shaded the yard and roof in dappled light. 

Sky glanced over at Zelda's house. Seeing no sign of life in the windows or yard, he asked, "Where's Headmaster Gaepora?"

Time made an odd face at the name, but Zelda cut him off. "Oh! Father's up in Skyloft in a meeting with Professor Owlan, Oolo, and Stritch."

"Stritch?" Sky balked, looking nearly as baffled as Time. "Why?"

Zelda laughed. "They're trying to cross-reference old agricultural texts from before Skyloft with the gardens we have now. Stritch is there because he wants to raise a small insect army to fight a new pest that's been showing up, but they're not sure if it will 'throw off the ecosystem' or something, so they're up there debating it."

Sky groaned, leaning against one of his trees. "That sounds... complicated."

“That’ll be us one day,” Zelda smirked as her fiancé groaned again. “But, as exhausting as that sounds, we're not here to worry about that right now." 

Turning towards the wayward heroes, she opened her arms and smiled with a warmth that seemed to call upon the sun itself. Indeed, a sliver of light had slipped through the leaves, lighting up her hair from behind and turning it as golden as starlight.

When she parted her lips, the air felt pure and heavy all at once, and Sky knew that whatever words Zelda was about to speak would not be hers alone.

"This is a place of rest for all of you. Weary travelers of Surface and time, ease your hearts and rest your bodies. This era is one of peace. There are no monsters to fight, nor battles to win. A break like this is long overdue, and each of you is more than worthy to receive it. Please, let us thank you for all you have done and for all you will overcome."

For a long moment, the heroes were rendered silent under the weight of her words. Warriors and Twilight exchanged confused glances. Time put a hand to his chin. The more magic-sensitive among them stared at Zelda like she'd just pulled a campfire out of thin air, but Sky mostly ignored their wide eyes. Carefully setting his hand on Zelda's back, he watched the brightness in her eyes, the formality in her posture, felt the borrowed magic from a time long gone. And then—there. All in one moment it dissipated. Zelda blinked, taking in a big breath as if she were waking from a long sleep. When she noticed all the eyes upon her, she smiled awkwardly, and looked away. 

"You're an oracle." Legend stated, breaking the silence.

Sky and Zelda looked at each other, then back at the young hero. "What do you mean?" Sky asked him. 

"It's... someone directly connected to a specific goddess," Legend tilted his head. "Like... a mouthpiece and extension of that deity, but someone who's also mortal and lives on earth. I've met some. Your magic connection feels the same as theirs; deep, permeating. It's... completely surrounding you. And it's strong."

"So that's what it is," Hyrule whispered, seeming to connect several dots in his head.

Wind looked confused. "What goddess's magic is that, though? It sort of feels the same as when Tetra uses light magic to make a bow."

"It's Hylia's," said Wild, barely over a whisper. 

Zelda stared at him for a moment, and for that brief second, Sky saw that flicker of ancient magic in her eyes again. It felt more sorrowful this time. Sky wondered if she was seeing a vision of Wild's era.

Just as quickly as the light appeared it flickered out, and Zelda looked away. "Oh... well..." Zelda twined her hands. "That all may be true, but even still. Please. Just call me Zelda here. It helps... make sense of it all."

"Of course," Four said gently. "Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Zelda."

"We're in good hands here," Wild smiled softly at her, and to Sky's delight, Zelda matched it with her own.

Legend looked at Sky again, piecing a puzzle together in his eyes until his expression bled into a big smile. "Leave it to Sky to woo the world's most powerful oracle into marriage."

Sky flushed as Zelda giggled, dramatically grabbing her fiancé's shoulders. "Oh yeah, he completely swept me off my feet, I couldn't take my eyes of him!"

Sky snorted as she fluttered her lashes at him. "If anything, Zelda, you swept me off of my feet—"

"Aww."

"—by shoving me off of Skyloft."

Zelda gasped and punched his arm. "No fair that was only a few times!"

"It was enough to count!"

Time's chuckle interrupted them both. "I see you two have much to catch up on. But tell me, are introductions in order, or has your clairvoyance filled you in, Zelda?"

"Oh!" Zelda waved her hands. "No, please, tell me your nicknames so I can put a name to a face. Letters and visions only do so much."

Quickly and eagerly, each Link shared his nickname or series of titles, Wind and Wild looking particularly pleased with themselves the whole time. Predictably, the humble traveler was the last to speak.

"Hy-rule..." Zelda's eyes widened when she heard the name. Sky hadn't told her what Hyrule was named after in his letters, but that look in her eye... it was almost as if she'd remembered something important.

"Um... hello?" waved Hyrule awkwardly.

Zelda blinked out of her stupor. "Oh! Hi! Yes, sorry... Hyrule..."

Sky took her arm. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah! Yeah, I'm ok!" Zelda laughed, despite the nervous energy now buzzing under her skin. "I... haha. It's just kinda funny. I was going to tell you after your first letter but I wanted to wait to say it in person."

"Say what in person?" Sky prompted.

"Well... the night before I first heard from you, I couldn't sleep, so I was... ah... thinking over the names, again, Link." She shot him a meaningful look, weaving her fingers tightly around his.

Sky's heart quickened. Had she really...?

"Names?" Twilight asked.

"What kind of names?" Wind squinted, suddenly looking very suspicious.

"Not for a baby, if that's what you're thinking," Zelda giggled as Sky and Wind suddenly blushed. "Not yet, at least. I meant place names, like for the Surface?"

"We've already got one!" called Groose in the distance, walking towards his workshop with a beam of wood on his shoulder for who-knows-what purpose.

"We are not calling the Surface 'Grooseland'!" Sky called back, feeling his heart melt back into mirth.

"Your loss!" Groose shouted. "When you come to regret it—and you will—don't come crying to me!" 

"Noted!" Sky yelled. 

Zelda laughed as Groose disappeared behind his house with a swagger. "Anyway," she continued, "I was thinking about it, and felt like the name of the Surface should reflect the powers that made it. So I was brainstorming a lot of variations: Godsland... Goddessteppe... Hyland..."

Sky felt his face splitting with a smile. "And...?"

"And my current favorite," Zelda beamed at the traveler, "Hyrule."

The wind seemed to taste sweeter the moment she uttered the name. Fresh, cool Skyloftian air blew through their bodies, stirring up leaves and sunlight and glazing the new buildings with a sense of sparkling purpose and pride.

Hyrule tousled his own hair, fidgeting under the attention that was now aimed at him. Twilight nudged his shoulder, and the traveler laughed, averting his eyes to the sky... where his gaze froze in absolute shock. 

Hyrule let out a sharp, strangled noise, face growing pale as he pointed past the treetops with a shaking hand.

The other heroes shot to attention. In a blink, they flung their hands to their sword hilts with eyes blown wide, hurrying to catch a glimpse of what had rendered the traveler speechless. 

Sky had expected a monster. Perhaps another kargarok, or a hinox from Wild's time.

He had not expected several cries of alarm at the sight of the glowing, brilliant triangles that blessed the very ground they stood upon.

"Is that the TRIFORCE???" Legend screamed.

Time turned to Sky in abject horror. "Where are its GUARDS?!?"

"It's just... hanging there, out in the open..." Hyrule stumbled backwards, looking two seconds away from a panic attack.

"Whoa..." Wind breathed. Four gaped in awe beside him.

"I—wha—How did we not see that before?!?" shouted Warriors, pulling his fingers through his hair. "Were the trees really obscuring it that much? Just—the ACTUAL Triforce is... what?"

Twilight had gone so pale that his face markings looked like coal. He said nothing, could do nothing but form incomprehensible sounds of utter disbelief. Sky's gut grew cold at the worry in Twilight’s eyes when their gazes met. Behind that blinding blue, terrible knowledge swarmed. 

It was akin to the look he would sometimes give to Time.

"So that's what it looks like."

Every single hero turned to Wild in horror. 

"What do you MEAN 'that's what it looks like'?!?" Legend demanded.

Wild shrunk back. "I-I just, I never saw it in person during my adventure, ok??? A-and if I did before, I don't remember." 

As he spoke, Wild scooted closer to Sky, gulping audibly. He glanced at the Chosen Hero. "Now I know how you felt when you asked about who Ganon was,” he murmured. “Sorry, bud. This feels kinda awful."

"And you!" said Legend, pointing at Sky, "Explain why the world's holiest artifact is being displayed up there like a festival wreath?!?"

"I—now hang on!" Suddenly under the fire of his friends' eyes, Sky floundered for an answer. "It's not some… festival wreath! The Triforce—it's holy to all the people of Skyloft, a symbol of the goddesses watching over us!  No one here would dare—"

"Sky." 

The clearing went silent as Time spoke up, his eye—no—eyes blown wide and haunted. He stared at Sky without blinking. "The Triforce is the most powerful object in existence. To have it simply sitting there for anyone to take advantage of, when the toil so many of us had to go through just to secure its location was so great... I can't... do you realize how dangerous this would be in any other era—?"

Sky didn't know when, but at some point, Zelda had walked forward, and now held fast to Time's hands. 

The air was heavy again.

"I did not speak falsely when I said this era is one of peace," she soothed. "Whatever is to come, whatever future the Triforce has in store, will have its time and place. For now, do not disregard the trials which the Hero of the Sky faced in recovering the Triforce for his people, for he knows as well as anyone what it is like to toil and bleed for such a blessing. For now, in this generation, the Triforce blesses this land, and this land protects the Triforce."

With a blink, Zelda came back to herself, suddenly looking very small. "But... thank you," she continued, "for letting us know about... the risks. W-we do have Sheikah guarding it, if that helps."

Just as quietly as Zelda had, Time lost all of his fight. Slowly, his blind eye closed, and his hunched shoulders dipped. Gently, carefully, he squeezed Zelda's hands, looking upon her in much the same way Gaepora would when his daughter was distressed. 

"Forgive me, Zelda," he sighed, long and deep. "And you as well, Sky. This is your era. I know in my heart you will protect the Triforce. I just ask... be cautious. Be wise. Do an old man a favor."

"You're not that old," Sky spoke quietly. He felt his own shoulders beginning to relax, though in his mind, he could not quite push back the bubbling thoughts of, curse; your fault; too slow.

Time seemed to pick up on the weight in Sky's chest, and attempted a smile. "No, I'll allow it."

"Time's finally admitting he's old?!?" Wind grinned, pouncing on Time's levity like a hungry remlit.  

The Hero of Time shrugged. "I suppose I've gotten used to the nickname."

"Well!" Zelda shook herself and clapped her hands. "We... have some things to add to the 'Settle the Surface' list! But for now, Link—er, Sky—is right. The Triforce is our symbol of hope here, a gift from the goddesses as we forge a new land. And if anything does start to smell rotten," she gave Sky a wobbly smile, "I doubt anyone would get very far with our resident Mr. Evil-Slayer around."

Sky took her hand and drew her closer, pressing his shoulder into hers. "It's you they should be worried about," he said, his voice more gravelly than usual. "Your wrath is the stuff of legend."

When Zelda laughed softly at his words, even if it was no more than a breath, she made it seem like a cloud had finally dispersed under the bright light of the sun. It seemed to lessen the fears of the other heroes, too, if their collective sighs and chatter were anything to go by.

But as Sky stared back into her eyes, he could not find the same contentment. Zelda's face was calm and determined, but he caught the way she bit at the corner of her lip—something she did when she when she fretted over a problem, and when she overworked her brain. She didn't deserve to fret over this now.

Tenderly, wordlessly, Sky rested his forehead against her temple, willing away her troubles and fears as if he could scare them off with a sword. His heart melted when he felt her return that pressure, letting out one of her tiny, fluttering sighs as she did so. His hand clasped hers more tightly.

He must have lost himself in that moment for far too long. Through half-lidded eyes, Sky caught Warriors raising an eyebrow before coughing into his fist. 

"Well then," grunted the captain. "If Zelda's divine knowledge has already assured us of our safety, I find myself inclined to agree with her. While we're here in an era of peace, I propose we make the best of it. Let's leave Sky to his catching up and restock what we need here."

"And explore?" Wind asked with pleading eyes.

"And... explore," Warriors conceded. "WITH a buddy system." 

"Why do you always look at me and Hyrule when you say that?" Wild scoffed, already dragging the traveler away from the clearing. 

Twilight tore his eyes from the Triforce, and after one last, softened glance at Sky and Zelda, set his attention on Wild. "The fact you have to ask that says wonders, cub."

"I'll go with them," Legend volunteered. He gave the Triforce a wary glance as well, but when he looked back at Sky, his face was mostly back to its normal level of snark. "Have fun 'catching up', lovebirds," he teased, giving them an honest thumbs up. Sky caught the unsaid, Sorry for being snappy earlier, and nodded to him, never blaming him in the slightest.

Predictably, Time lingered the longest by the Triforce, and Sky didn't doubt that the older knight would spend his time wondering about its security. In Sky’s mind he knew that protectiveness was due to Time's journey, but maybe it wouldn't hurt to ask the dragons and Levias about more safeguards soon. 

Four took Time's hand and guided their leader to join the others. The smith waved goodbye to Sky as he went, and Sky returned it, waiting a few moments before glancing over at Zelda. 

Dangers, dragons, the Triforce... Sky pondered, taking in the pinch in Zelda's brow as her own thoughts swarmed into a tempest. All problems for later. 

As his friends slowly set off to explore the town, Sky slipped his hand around his fiancée's arm, leading her over to the wooden bench that sat gently under one of his trees. He'd carved the bench himself last year, one of the biggest things he'd worked on, built for quiet mornings for himself, visitors, and—mostly—for his soon-to-be wife. They sunk onto the soft cushions together, stretching their tired limbs with matching, weary sighs.

For a moment, all they heard was the rustle of wind through leaves. Little birds twittered and sang to each other in the branches above, jumping through the green, shifting canopy with joy and ease. What freedom they had, Sky thought, to not be burdened with worldly woes. Though if the goddesses cared for even the birds’ little souls, he reminded himself, as he'd done so often on his journey, how much more did the deities see and care for their chosen people?

Beside him, Zelda sighed again, rolling her sandal-clad ankles in the cool Surface breeze. 

"You ok?" Sky asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Well,” she murmured, “I've got more to think about, now." 

As Zelda started to chew her lip again, Sky took her hand, leaning into her line of sight. "You've also got someone to help take your mind off of it."

"Oh?" Zelda nudged her shoulder into his. "Like you're going to be any better, Mr. Worrywart?"

"Hey, I thought I was Sleepyhead, king of daydreams and putting things off?"

"That's your alter ego" she tapped his nose. "But... honestly... It would be nice to put off thinking about the Triforce a little longer. Even though that might be a little impossible, now."

"Hey, 'for everything, a time and place', remember?" Sky said softly, rubbing his thumb over her hand. "We'll figure it out like we always do. We have each other now."

"We always have," she smiled, her eyes softening. "And always will. I know I intend to keep my vows."

Sky laughed, genuinely, at the sparkle in her gaze. "Forever and always," he agreed.

"Even when we're old and you're grey."

"Wh-Hey!” he sputtered, nudging her. “What about you?"

"I will have lovely white hair, thank you!"

Sky blew a raspberry as he laughed again, leaning against her as she fell into giggles beside him. When their eyes met, they were filled with a familiar hopefulness and light, and suddenly, things didn't seem so pressing anymore.

He'd almost forgotten how long it had been since they'd had a moment of peace like this.

Sky blushed as they drifted ever closer to each other, pulling each other in like magnets. Zelda really was the most beautiful woman alive. Sky glanced behind him at where his friends had been standing, but couldn't see much over his shoulder.

"Are they gone?" he murmured softly into her ear, just loud enough for Zelda to hear him. 

"Not yet," she hummed, matching his blush.

"Now?"

"Still not yet."

"They're walking so slowly," Sky grumbled, slipping his hands around Zelda's waist.

"Shh," she tucked a strand of hair behind his ear, letting him lean into her touch. "They're almost gone... almost... a little more... 

"Ok now!" Zelda threw her arms around his neck, giggling like birdsong. "All clear!"

Sky pulled his fiancée against his chest, beaming at her with all the adoration he could possibly muster. They both had a long way to go to settle the Surface, and plenty of challenges to face. But for now, those worries were carried far away by the breeze of their new homeland, allowing the founders of Hyrule to finally, finally sink into a deep, long kiss.

>>><<<

Masterlist | First | Chapter 10 | Chapter 12 (coming next week!)

Author’s Note: Haha as you might have noticed, I took a few creative liberties! At the time of writing, I actually forgot if Skyward Sword had any mention of sealing the Triforce away again once Link finds and uses it, and was under the impression it remained out in the open as a blessing for a while. I can’t exactly recall if that conflicts with SS dialogue, because I think it might in retrospect, but there ARE Sheikah guarding it from the shadows! If it does need to be sealed away, Zelda, Link, Groose, and the Sheikah will be right on it.

Also, elephant in the room: Zelda. I tried to leave the exact nature of her power open-ended, so if you want to read Legend’s guess as close but not quite the full picture you certainly can. As for me, I’ve never really been a fan of the whole reincarnation thing… Personal biases aside, it creates a lot of complications, especially if you throw the manga First Hero into that… so I personally like to think of Zelda as a very powerful oracle who can act as Hylia’s vessel/messenger and access some of her powers, memories, and visions, yet she’s also completely mortal and her own person. BUT! Please feel free to interpret the Zelda-Hylia connection however you like!

Wow I loved writing this chapter. I love writing the Skyloftians so much. It’s like coming home, especially now that I’ve been playing the game physically and growing to love them even more! Also Groose/Peatrice is an amazing pair I don’t know how it grew on me so much and I have GOT to write or draw them getting together some day, haha. Karane/Pipit are so cute, too; I just had to include them!

ALSO ALSO NEXT CHAPTER IS ANOTHER HUGE FAVORITE OF MINE, WOOOO!!!!

Extra Note: I am a children’s book/family friendly author, so please keep all comments Safe For Work (no swearing please!) I want to do my best to make this a place for everyone. Cheers!